More than 20 years ago I was in Russia, and decided to go to the library. The entrance to the library was massive. At the entrance I had to walk through metal detectors, then past security guards. Inside there were multi-level mezzanine floors in dark wood with their wooden safety railings. I wanted to read a book. But I couldn’t. Unless I showed ID, signed for and registered the book that I wanted to read. Which I did.

Our large political parties want to import digital identification systems here, which are in England and Australia. They say it will relieve parents from onerous guardianship.

Social media companies would be compelled to collect biometric ID from adults – including overseas visitors – for age verification.

But this incentivises youth to access the dark web, creating a worse problem for parents. Meanwhile it is unclear if the Government plans data collection from our cars to implement new ‘fair’ road user charges. We should not create too much surveillance and enforcement data, because it has a risk of being misused.

These policies are only replicas of justice and safety, but they would be exchanged for real freedom and life.

Andrew Clow, Te Puna